City · California
Imperial Beach, California
Imperial Beach, city, in San Diego County, California. Imperial Beach had 25,206 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 26,137 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 25,764 (±67). GEOID 0636294.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,206
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,137 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,764 ±67
Median household income
$86,111
±$9,539 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$857,000
±$21,864 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,011
±$85 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Imperial Beach and what county is it in?
Imperial Beach is a city in San Diego County, California. It covers 4.3 square miles of land, 6,093 residents per square mile in 2020.
Imperial Beach is in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Imperial Beach, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 25,206 people lived in Imperial Beach on July 1, 2025, down 3.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 26,137 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 25,764 (±67).
| Measure | Imperial Beach | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,764 ±67 | 3,288,774 | −1,551 |
| Households | 9,340 ±350 | 1,171,278 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.68 ±0.10 | 2.72 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,299 ±350 | 1,250,641 | no clear change |
Imperial Beach's population since 2000
From 26,992 in 2000 to 25,206 in 2025: down 6.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Imperial Beach as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Imperial Beach?
The median resident of Imperial Beach is 35.1 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 12.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 53.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 32.6%. 16.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Imperial Beach | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.1 ±1.2 | 37.3 | +2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% ±1.8 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.3% ±1.4 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Male | 51.7% ±2.0 pts | 50.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 53.0% ±4.2 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 32.6% ±4.1 pts | 42.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±1.8 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±1.4 pts | 12.1% | −3.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±1.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.6% ±2.4 pts | 22.8% | −4.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 42.3% ±4.1 pts | 37.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4% ±2.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7% ±2.0 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1% ±2.1 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.0% ±2.5 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.7% ±3.2 pts | 43.2% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.2% ±1.5 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.6% ±2.8 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8% ±1.0 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Imperial Beach earn?
Half of Imperial Beach's 9,340 households earn less than $86,111 a year (±$9,539), against $106,268 in San Diego County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,076 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $20,035 after inflation. 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Imperial Beach | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,111 ±$9,539 | $106,268 | +$20,035 |
| Mean household income | $111,390 ±$9,630 | $141,250 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,196 ±$3,634 | $51,976 | +$11,413 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.8% ±3.2 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.3% ±8.6 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.6% ±3.0 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.1% ±1.5 pts | 97.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.3% ±2.2 pts | 94.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Imperial Beach?
Owners occupy 31.3% of Imperial Beach's occupied homes and renters 68.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $857,000 by its owner (±$21,864). The median renter pays $2,011 a month including utilities, and 46.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Imperial Beach | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $857,000 ±$21,864 | $854,700 | +$163,381 |
| Median gross rent | $2,011 ±$85 | $2,246 | +$215 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.8% ±4.5 pts | 47.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,659 ±$269 | $3,184 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 31.3% ±3.6 pts | 54.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 68.7% ±3.6 pts | 45.4% | – |
| Housing units | 10,299 ±350 | 1,250,641 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.4% ±4.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.8% ±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 41.8% ±3.4 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.5% ±2.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.5% ±2.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.8% ±2.3 pts | 5.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Imperial Beach building?
Builders took permits for 70 new housing units in Imperial Beach in 2025 (58 in single-family houses), 2.8 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Imperial Beach work and get to work?
70.8% of Imperial Beach's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.1%.
| Measure | Imperial Beach | San Diego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.0% ±3.7 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% ±3.1 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.8% ±4.6 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3% ±2.5 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.9% ±1.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.6% ±2.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9% ±2.5 pts | 18.7% | +6.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.1 min ±1.4 | 25.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Imperial Beach?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Imperial Beach, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $68,109 (Tract 105.02) to $121,310 (Tract 105.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 105.02San Diego County | 5,892 | $68,109 |
| Tract 104.02San Diego County | 5,528 | $70,125 |
| Tract 103San Diego County | 3,884 | $77,123 |
| Tract 102.02San Diego County | 3,671 | $108,486 |
| Tract 102.01San Diego County | 3,327 | $98,418 |
| Tract 104.01San Diego County | 2,197 | $75,417 |
| Tract 105.01San Diego County | 1,265 | $121,310 |
| Tract 101.03San Diego County | 6,497 | $66,222 |
| Tract 106.01San Diego County | 2,043 | $207,727 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Imperial Beach) · Census block assignment files
How does Imperial Beach compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Imperial Beach is the 1,605th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 275th-most populous of 483 in California.
Imperial Beach ranks 609th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 275th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 331st | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 182nd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 609th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 540th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 307th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 405th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 283rd | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 570th | 988 |
| Median age | 788th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,042nd | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 585th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 578th | 1,069 |
Imperial Beach's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Imperial Beach with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Imperial Beach?
6 of the 57 figures for Imperial Beach on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Imperial Beach are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Imperial Beach.